Key Points for Cultivating Watermelon Peperomia
The editor will share some knowledge about the herbaceous flower Watermelon Peperomia, the key points for cultivating Watermelon Peperomia. Let's dive into the details below:
1. Substrate
It needs to be cultivated in loose, fertile soil with good drainage; it grows poorly in clay. Potting soil should be a mix of leaf mold and coarse sand or coal ash. You can also use peat soil mixed with perlite.
2. Temperature
Watermelon Peperomia is not tolerant to severe cold or extreme heat, with the optimal growing temperature being 20-30°C. Growth slows down when temperatures exceed 30°C or drop below 15°C. The minimum winter temperature should not be below 10°C, otherwise, it may suffer frost damage or even physiological diseases.
3. Soil
Use a potting mix mainly composed of leaf mold, with a small amount of river sand mixed in.
4. Light
As Watermelon Peperomia is shade-tolerant, it should be placed in a bright indoor area with scattered light, avoiding direct strong sunlight. In spring and autumn, it should be moved to an outdoor location with good ventilation and some sunlight. It prefers semi-shade or scattered light and can be kept in full sun in winter. In summer, it should be shaded by 50%, otherwise the leaves may get sunburned. Too much shade will cause the leaves to become dull, gray-green, and the patterns to be less visible.
5. Water
Keep the potting soil moist during the growing season, but avoid waterlogging, as it can cause root rot and leaf drop, or even kill the whole plant. In summer and dry seasons, spray water on the leaves 2-3 times a day to increase humidity and promote pattern formation on the leaves. It is afraid of both drought and waterlogging; drought can cause wilting and yellowing, while waterlogging can lead to root rot. The soil should be slightly moist, and watering can be done when the surface of the potting soil is dry. In winter, if the temperature is slightly lower, watering should be controlled to allow the soil to alternate between dry and wet.
6. Fertilizer
Usually, a thin solution of cake fertilizer or compound fertilizer should be applied once a month. Avoid excessive nitrogen; if there is a lack of phosphorus, the leaf patterns may disappear, reducing the ornamental value. Use balanced fertilizers and avoid applying only nitrogen, as it may cause the “watermelon” stripes to be less visible and reduce the ornamental value significantly. It's best to use a thin liquid fertilizer to water the soil, as too concentrated fertilizer can cause plant necrosis.
7. Humidity
Watermelon Peperomia requires a high level of air humidity and does not tolerate dry conditions. In addition to normal watering, it is necessary to frequently spray water on the plant. If possible, it's best to water the growing environment to increase humidity, which has good results. In a dry environment, the leaves grow abnormally.
8. Disease and Pest Control
Diseases and pests are rare, with leaf spot disease being the most common. It can be controlled by spraying fungicides such as carbendazim or metalaxyl. The main pests are red spiders and scale insects, which can be controlled by spraying specific pesticides such as dicofol or dinotefuran for red spiders; cypermethrin or chlorpyrifos for scale insects. Attention should be paid to the disinfection of the cultivation site, pots, and soil. Root collar rot and canker diseases can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture to prevent disease spread.
The above is a complete introduction to the key points for cultivating Watermelon Peperomia. I hope it can be of help to you. Don't forget to check out more flowering plant care tips!